During 1999 3D Dulaney found my name in the phone book, called me in Florida, and after 40 some years we got connected. We talked and I found out he lived very close to the route we traveled when we went to New York. I stopped at his town, called him, and we had lunch together. 3D suggested we drive to MT. Holly and visit with John Richwine and I agreed. We wound up having dinner with the Richwines', met his children, got brought up to date on what John did after leaving the Navy, and got caught up on sea stories. It was great. The following photo was taken by 3Ds' wife.
We agreed to visit the Richwines again when we returned from New York at the end of the summer. However, during the summer 3D called and informed me that John Richwine had died. The suddeness of Johns' death was a shock to me, but as the saying goes "life goes on."
Over the next several months I reflected on Johns' death and this resulted in clarification of my priorities. Family and friends have always been important to me. After getting involved with our web site and John Richwines' death, the importance of shipmates became evident. My feeling now is that when ever I have the opportunity to spend some time with a shipmate I am going to do it. There is a saying that sums up this attitude.
Ed Lange
Tony Manchura and his wife Armida travel between Spain and New York to take advantage of the best of the seasons. During September of 2002 they came to Florida for a visit with shipmate Ralph Hackbarth and his wife Gayle. This is REALLY a long range connection that was made and the photo below reveals the joy they all felt at the opportunity to spend some time together. As the saying goes, take the time to smell the roses today, because tomorrow may never come. These shipmates did that.
